U.S. patent application number 16/490629 was filed with the patent office on 2020-01-02 for associating content with one or more light beacons based on geographical indicator.
The applicant listed for this patent is SIGNIFY HOLDING B.V.. Invention is credited to DZMITRY VIKTOROVICH ALIAKSEYEU, DIRK VALENTINUS RENE ENGELEN, BARTEL MARINUS VAN DE SLUIS.
Application Number | 20200007231 16/490629 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58265770 |
Filed Date | 2020-01-02 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200007231 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
VAN DE SLUIS; BARTEL MARINUS ;
et al. |
January 2, 2020 |
ASSOCIATING CONTENT WITH ONE OR MORE LIGHT BEACONS BASED ON
GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATOR
Abstract
A system is configured to receive a geographical indicator, to
determine at least one light beacon (61-69) based on the
geographical indicator, to output information (82) identifying the
at least one light beacon, to receive a selection of one or more
(61-68) of the at least one light beacon, to receive a content item
or a reference to a content item in relation to the one or more
light beacons, and to associate the content item with the one or
more light beacons. The association causes the one or more light
beacons to transmit data via visible light which enables
reproduction of the content item.
Inventors: |
VAN DE SLUIS; BARTEL MARINUS;
(EINDHOVEN, NL) ; ALIAKSEYEU; DZMITRY VIKTOROVICH;
(EINDHOVEN, NL) ; ENGELEN; DIRK VALENTINUS RENE;
(HEUSDEN-ZOLDER, BE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SIGNIFY HOLDING B.V. |
EINDHOVEN |
|
NL |
|
|
Family ID: |
58265770 |
Appl. No.: |
16/490629 |
Filed: |
February 20, 2018 |
PCT Filed: |
February 20, 2018 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2018/054085 |
371 Date: |
September 3, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04B 10/116
20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04B 10/116 20060101
H04B010/116 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 2, 2017 |
EP |
17158895.7 |
Claims
1. A system for associating content with one or more light beacons,
comprising a server, the server comprising: at least one input
interface for receiving input; an output interface for providing
output; and at least one processor configured: to receive a
geographical indicator, to determine a set of at least one light
beacon based on said geographical indicator, each of said at least
one light beacon being configured to transmit data via visible
light, to use said output interface to output information
identifying said set of at least one light beacon, to use said at
least one input interface to receive a selection of one or more
light beacons of said set of at least one light beacon, to use said
at least one input interface to receive a content item or a
reference to a content item to be associated with said one or more
light beacons, and to associate said content item with said one or
more light beacons, said association causing said one or more light
beacons to transmit data via visible light which enables
reproduction of said content item.
2. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one
processor is configured to use said at least one input interface to
receive an indication of one or more time windows to be associated
with said one or more light beacons, and to associate said content
item with said one or more light beacons, during said one or more
time windows.
3. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one
processor is configured to use said at least one input interface to
receive a reproduction condition to be associated with said one or
more light beacons, said content item only being allowed to be
reproduced on a device when said reproduction condition is met, and
to associate said content item with said one or more light beacons
and said reproduction condition.
4. A system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said reproduction
condition comprises a group identifier identifying a group to which
a user of said device should belong, a required weather condition
and/or a maximum distance between a light beacon transmitting data
and said device
5. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one
processor is configured to use said at least one input interface to
receive a transmission condition to be associated with said one or
more light beacons and to configure said one or more light beacons
such that said one or more light beacons transmit first data if
said transmission condition is met and second data if said
transmission condition is not met, said first data enabling
reproduction of said content item and said second data not enabling
reproduction of said content item.
6. A system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said transmission
condition comprises a required weather condition.
7. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said system comprises a
memory and said at least one processor is configured to store an
association between said content item or said reference to said
content item and said one or more selected light beacons in said
memory.
8. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said one or more light
beacons comprise a plurality of light beacons and said at least one
processor is configured to use said at least one input interface to
further receive an indication of a path from a first set of said
plurality of light beacons to a last set of said plurality of light
beacons and to associate said content item with said first set of
light beacons during a first time window and with said last set of
light beacons-(4:14$4 during a last time window, said last time
window starting later than said first time window.
9. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said one or more light
beacons comprise a plurality of light beacons and said at least one
processor is configured to use said at least one input interface to
further receive an indication of a content speed parameter and to
associate said content item with a first set of light beacons
during a first time window and with a last set of light beacons
during a last time window, a difference between the beginning of
said first time window and the beginning of said last time window
depending on said content speed parameter.
10. A method of associating content with one or more light beacons,
comprising: receiving a geographical indicator; determining a set
of at least one light beacon based on said geographical indicator,
each of said at least one light beacon being configured to transmit
data via visible light; outputting information identifying said at
least one light beacon; receiving a selection of one or more light
beacons of said set of at least one light beacon; receiving a
content item or a reference to a content item to be associated with
said one or more light beacons; and associating said content item
with said one or more light beacons, said association causing said
one or more light beacons to transmit data via visible light which
enables reproduction of said content item.
11. A method as claimed in claim 10, further comprising receiving
an indication of one or more time windows to be associated with
said one or more light beacons, wherein associating said content
item with said one or more light beacons comprises associating said
content item with said one or more light beacons during said one or
more time windows.
12. A method as claimed in claim 10, further comprising receiving a
reproduction condition in relation to said one or more light
beacons, said content item only being allowed to be reproduced on a
device when said reproduction condition is met, wherein associating
said content item with said one or more light beacons comprises
associating said content item with said one or more light beacons
and said reproduction condition.
13. A method as claimed in claim 10, further comprising receiving a
transmission condition to be associated with said one or more light
beacons and configuring said one or more light beacons such that
said one or more light beacons transmit first data if said
transmission condition is met and second data if said transmission
condition is not met, said first data enabling reproduction of said
content item and said second data not enabling reproduction of said
content item.
14. A method as claimed in claim 10, further comprising receiving a
confirmation that a payment has been received, wherein said content
item is only associated with said one or more light beacons if said
confirmation is received.
15. A computer program product storing at least one software code
portion, the software code portion, when run on a computer system,
being configured for enabling the method of claim 10 to be
performed.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a system for associating content
with one or more light beacons.
[0002] The invention further relates to a method of associating
content with one or more light beacons.
[0003] The invention also relates to a computer program product
enabling a computer system to perform such a method.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The provision of location-dependent content inside buildings
is becoming increasingly popular and is used in museums and shops,
for example. As GPS location determination does not work properly
inside buildings, beacons are often used inside buildings instead
of GPS to provide location-dependent content. Beacons can also be
used outdoors.
[0005] US 2016/0277999 A1 discloses a mobile content management
system which includes a plurality of distributed beacon
transmitters, each configured to continuously broadcast messages
including a host URL. Client devices proximate to one or more of
the beacons are able to receive the broadcast message and
subsequently transmit content requests to the host server located
at the host URL. The host server returns an appropriate destination
URL whose content may be obtained by the client device and
reproduced on the client device. Administrators can use a web
portal to associate beacon IDs with destination URLs. This may be
done for multiple beacons in one action using a bulk edit
feature.
[0006] A drawback of the web portal disclosed in US2016/0277999 A1
is that it has not been designed for users who are not
administrators, e.g. social media users who want to share content
with people who are present at the same event. The web portal
requires the administrator to know and enter beacon IDs and is
therefore not suitable for users who are not administrators, i.e.
users that do not know the relevant beacon IDs and/or do not only
want to associate content with the same set of beacons again and
again.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is a first object of the invention to provide a system
for associating content with one or more light beacons, which is
suitable for users who are not administrators.
[0008] It is a second object of the invention to provide a method
of associating content with one or more light beacons, which is
suitable for users who are not administrators.
[0009] In a first aspect of the invention, the system for
associating content with one or more light beacons comprises a
server, the server comprising at least one input interface for
receiving input, an output interface for providing output, and at
least one processor configured to receive a geographical indicator,
to determine a set of at least one light beacon based on said
geographical indicator, each of said at least one light beacon
being configured to transmit data via visible light, to use said
output interface to output information identifying said set of at
least one light beacon, to use said at least one input interface to
receive a selection of one or more light beacons of said set of at
least one light beacon (61-69), to use said at least one input
interface to receive a content item or a reference to a content
item to be associated with said one or more light beacons, and to
associate said content item with said one or more light beacons,
said association causing said one or more light beacons to transmit
data via visible light which enables reproduction of said content
item. The content may be reproduced (e.g. displayed) on the screen
of a mobile device or on augmented reality glasses, for example.
Transmitting data via visible light is commonly referred to as
Visible Light Communication (VLC). The content item may be
associated with the one or more light beacons by associating the
reference to the content item with the one or more light beacons,
for example.
[0010] The inventors have recognized that by identifying light
beacons based on a received geographical indicator, e.g. a
geographical area or a geographical location, and receiving a
selection of the identified light beacons, it becomes much easier
to associate content with one or more beacons, especially for users
who are not administrators. The received geographical indicator may
be a location or area selected on a map by a user or a GPS location
of a device, for example. If the received geographical indication
is a location, all light beacons within a certain range of the
location may be identified or all light beacons at the same place
(the place associated with the location, e.g. a building, stadium,
square or park) may be identified, for example. A received area may
comprise an identification of a place (e.g. "Philips Stadium"),
multiple locations (e.g. defining opposing corners of a rectangle,
e.g. defining a path or trajectory) or a location and a radius, for
example.
[0011] Associating the content item with the one or more light
beacons may comprise configuring the one or more light beacons to
transmit a different or additional identifier or to transmit the
content item itself, for example. The different or additional
identifier may comprise an URL leading to the content item directly
or may be used to obtain such an URL or the content item itself
from a connected system. Alternatively, the one or more light
beacons may continue to transmit the same identifier (e.g. an
identifier assigned when the beacon was installed). In this case,
associating the content item with the one or more light beacons may
comprise associating this identifier with a different or additional
URL or a different or additional content item in the connected
system (from which the URL or the content item may be obtained),
for example.
[0012] Said at least one processor may be configured to use said at
least one input interface to receive an indication of one or more
time windows to be associated with said one or more light beacons
and to associate said content item with said one or more light
beacons during said one or more time windows. Although it may be
possible let the association take effect immediately when the
selection of light beacons and the content item (or reference
thereto) has been received or when a payment has been received (if
applicable), making the association for one or more future time
windows gives a better chance that desired light beacons are still
available.
[0013] Said at least one processor may be configured to use said at
least one input interface to receive a reproduction condition to be
associated with said one or more light beacons, said content item
only being allowed to be reproduced on a device when said
reproduction condition is met, and to associate said content item
with said one or more light beacons and said reproduction
condition. Said reproduction condition may comprise a group
identifier identifying a group to which a user of said device
should belong, a required weather condition and/or a maximum
distance between a light beacon transmitting data and said device.
This allows the content to be targeted to specific groups of
persons and/or to be shown in specific situations, e.g.
advertisements for umbrellas when it is raining and advertisements
for sunscreen when it is hot and sunny. By targeting the content on
the reproduction device or on a connected system (that provides
URLs or content items associated with identifiers transmitted by
light beacons) instead of at the light beacons themselves, a better
targeting may be achieved.
[0014] Said at least one processor may be configured to use said at
least one input interface to receive a transmission condition to be
associated with said one or more light beacons and to configure
said one or more light beacons such that said one or more light
beacons transmit first data if said transmission condition is met
and second data if said transmission condition is not met, said
first data enabling reproduction of said content item and said
second data not enabling reproduction of said content item. Said
transmission condition may comprise a required weather condition.
This prevents that a reproduction device needs to be relied on to
check a reproduction condition, e.g. when light beacons transmit
content items or URLs to contents and no connected system is
used.
[0015] Said system may comprise a memory and said at least one
processor may be configured to store an association between said
content item or said reference to said content item and said one or
more selected light beacons in said memory. In this way, a light
beacon can continue to transmit the same identifier and does not
have to be connected to the Internet or another network. Only the
association on the system needs to be changed.
[0016] Said one or more light beacons may comprise a plurality of
light beacons and said at least one processor may be configured to
use said at least one input interface to further receive an
indication of a path from a first set of said plurality of light
beacons to a last set of said plurality of light beacons and to
associate said content item with said first set of light beacons
during a first time window and with said last set of light beacons
during a last time window, said last time window starting later
than said first time window. This allows content to follow a
route.
[0017] Said one or more light beacons may comprise a plurality of
light beacons and said at least one processor is configured to use
said at least one input interface to further receive an indication
of a content speed parameter and to associate said content item
with a first set of light beacons during a first time window and
with a last set of light beacons during a last time window, a
difference between the beginning of said first time window and the
beginning of said last time window depending on said content speed
parameter. This allows content to follow a route using an estimated
speed of a target group, which may be athletes participating in a
running or cycling event or tourists walking from a train station
to the entrance of an amusement park, for example. Said content
speed may be a parameter setting a value, such as e.g. a speed,
e.g. 14 km/h.
[0018] In aspects: The system according to the first aspect of the
invention may further comprise at least one lighting device; such
as for example a luminaire, a light beacon, a flood light, or a
pixillated LED spot, etc. Furthermore, the system according to the
first aspect of the invention may further comprise at least one
device according to the invention; such as for example a user
device, a smartphone, a tablet, a smart-glass, a VR-goggle, etc.
Such aspects may be advantagous as all components of the system may
be inter-compatible.
[0019] In a second aspect of the invention, the method of
associating content with one or more light beacons comprises
receiving a geographical indicator, determining at least one light
beacon based on said geographical indicator, each of said at least
one light beacon being configured to transmit data via visible
light, outputting information identifying said at least one light
beacon, receiving a selection of one or more of said at least one
light beacon, receiving a content item or a reference to a content
item to be associated with said one or more light beacons, and
associating said content item with said one or more light beacons,
said association causing said one or more light beacons to transmit
data via visible light which enables reproduction of said content
item. The method may be implemented in hardware and/or
software.
[0020] The method may further comprise receiving an indication of
one or more time windows to be associated with said one or more
light beacons, wherein associating said content item with said one
or more light beacons comprises associating said content item with
said one or more light beacons during said one or more time
windows.
[0021] The method may further comprise receiving a reproduction
condition to be associated with said one or more light beacons,
said content item only being allowed to be reproduced on a device
when said reproduction condition is met, wherein associating said
content item with said one or more light beacons comprises
associating said content item with said one or more light beacons
and said reproduction condition.
[0022] The method may further comprise receiving a transmission
condition to be associated with said one or more light beacons and
configuring said one or more light beacons such that said one or
more light beacons transmit first data if said transmission
condition is met and second data if said transmission condition is
not met, said first data enabling reproduction of said content item
and said second data not enabling reproduction of said content
item.
[0023] The method may further comprise receiving a confirmation
that a payment has been received, said content item only being
associated with said one or more light beacons if said confirmation
is received.
[0024] Moreover, a computer program for carrying out the methods
described herein, as well as a non-transitory computer readable
storage-medium storing the computer program are provided. A
computer program may, for example, be downloaded by or uploaded to
an existing device or be stored upon manufacturing of these
systems.
[0025] A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium stores at
least one software code portion, the software code portion, when
executed or processed by a computer, being configured to perform
executable operations comprising: receiving a geographical
indicator, determining at least one light beacon based on said
geographical indicator, each of said at least one light beacon
being configured to transmit data via visible light, outputting
information identifying said at least one light beacon, receiving a
selection of one or more of said at least one light beacon,
receiving a content item or a reference to a content item in
relation to said one or more light beacons, and associating said
content item with said one or more light beacons, said association
causing said one or more light beacons to transmit data via visible
light which enables reproduction of said content item.
[0026] In a further aspect of the invention, the at least one
processor may be configured to autonomously select a content item
to be associated with one or more light beacons. The at least one
processor may use said at least one input interface to receive this
autonomously selected content item or a reference to this
autonomously selected content item to be associated with said one
or more light beacons. A content item may e.g. be autonomously
selected by using the input/output interface to recognize a
plurality of devices providing a plurality of content items, and
configuring the processor to select a content item from the
plurality of content items. Hence, the server according to the
invention may be arranged for scanning an environment for a
plurality of content items in order to select a content item
therefrom. The output interface may for example send a request to
one of the plurality of devices providing the plurality of content
items to send a content item being the autonomously selected
content item. Said autonomous selection may be based on a
criterion, such as for example a type of the content item, a tag
characterizing the content item, a length of the content item, a
rating of the content item, an amount of views of the content item,
a location identified within the content item, a geographical
location, the identity of the creator of the content item, etc.
Moreover, in such examples of autonomous selection of a content
item, the selection of one or more light beacons may for example be
received by information contained in the content item itself.
Hence, the content item may for example already be indicating which
one or more light beacons to select for reprodicing the content
item. The advantage of such an autonomous selection of a content
item is that the system according to the invention may provide an
improved functionality of providing content items to beacons.
[0027] As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of
the present invention may be embodied as a device, a method or a
computer program product. Accordingly, aspects of the present
invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an
entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident
software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and
hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a
"circuit", "module" or "system." Functions described in this
disclosure may be implemented as an algorithm executed by a
processor/microprocessor of a computer. Furthermore, aspects of the
present invention may take the form of a computer program product
embodied in one or more computer readable medium(s) having computer
readable program code embodied, e.g., stored, thereon.
[0028] Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s)
may be utilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer
readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A
computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not
limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic,
infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any
suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of a
computer readable storage medium may include, but are not limited
to, the following: an electrical connection having one or more
wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access
memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable
read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a
portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage
device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of
the foregoing. In the context of the present invention, a computer
readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that can
contain, or store, a program for use by or in connection with an
instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.
[0029] A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated
data signal with computer readable program code embodied therein,
for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a
propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms, including,
but not limited to, electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable
combination thereof. A computer readable signal medium may be any
computer readable medium that is not a computer readable storage
medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program
for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system,
apparatus, or device.
[0030] Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be
transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited
to wireless, wireline, optical fiber, cable, RF, etc., or any
suitable combination of the foregoing. Computer program code for
carrying out operations for aspects of the present invention may be
written in any combination of one or more programming languages,
including an object oriented programming language such as
Java(.TM.), Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional procedural
programming languages, such as the "C" programming language or
similar programming languages. The program code may execute
entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as
a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and
partly on a remote computer, or entirely on the remote computer or
server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be
connected to the user's computer through any type of network,
including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN),
or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example,
through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).
[0031] Aspects of the present invention are described below with
reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of
methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products
according to embodiments of the present invention. It will be
understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or
block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart
illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer
program instructions. These computer program instructions may be
provided to a processor, in particular a microprocessor or a
central processing unit (CPU), of a general purpose computer,
special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing
apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which
execute via the processor of the computer, other programmable data
processing apparatus, or other devices create means for
implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or
block diagram block or blocks.
[0032] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a
computer readable medium that can direct a computer, other
programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to
function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored
in the computer readable medium produce an article of manufacture
including instructions which implement the function/act specified
in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
[0033] The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a
computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other
devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on
the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to
produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions
which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus
provide processes for implementing the functions/acts specified in
the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
[0034] The flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate
the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible
implementations of devices, methods and computer program products
according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this
regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent
a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more
executable instructions for implementing the specified logical
function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative
implementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of
the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in
succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or
the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order,
depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted
that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart
illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams
and/or flowchart illustrations, can be implemented by special
purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions
or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer
instructions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0035] These and other aspects of the invention are apparent from
and will be further elucidated, by way of example, with reference
to the drawings, in which:
[0036] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of the
system of the invention;
[0037] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the
system of the invention;
[0038] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a third embodiment of the
system of the invention;
[0039] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a fourth embodiment of the
system of the invention;
[0040] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a fifth embodiment of the
system of the invention;
[0041] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a sixth embodiment of the
system of the invention;
[0042] FIG. 7 is a first example of a user interface for selecting
identified light beacons;
[0043] FIG. 8 is a second example of a user interface for selecting
identified light beacons;
[0044] FIG. 9 is a third example of a user interface for selecting
identified light beacons;
[0045] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of a first embodiment of the
method of the invention;
[0046] FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of a second embodiment of the
method of the invention;
[0047] FIG. 12 is a flow diagram of a third embodiment of the
method of the invention; and
[0048] FIG. 13 is a block diagram of an exemplary data processing
system for performing the method of the invention.
[0049] Corresponding elements in the drawings are denoted by the
same reference numeral.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0050] FIGS. 1 to 6 show embodiments of the system 1000, 2000,
3000, 4000, 5000, 6000 of the invention, a first server 21, and a
computer 33, a light beacon 11, a mobile device 1 and a second
server 35. The first server 21 comprises a processor 25, a
transceiver 29, 29', a power supply 27 and possibly a memory 31.
The light beacon 11 comprises a lamp 13, a processor 15, a power
supply 17 and possibly a transceiver 19 and a memory 31. The mobile
device 1 comprises a processor 5, a sensor 3, a battery 7 and a
transceiver 9. In FIGS. 1 to 6, the system of the invention
comprises a single server 21. In an alternative embodiment, the
system comprises multiple devices. In the embodiments shown in
FIGS. 1 to 6, the light beacon 11 is the only light beacon from
which the mobile device 1 receives data via visible light.
[0051] In FIG. 1, the computer 33 is configured to provide an URL
pointing to a content item on the second server 35 to the first
server 21, the first server 21 is configured to provide the URL to
the light beacon 11 and the light beacon 11 is configured to
transmit the URL via visible light. The mobile device 1 is
configured to receive the URL from the light beacon 11 and to
obtain the content item from the second server 35.
[0052] In particular, the processor 25 of the first server 21 is
configured to use the transceiver 29,29' receive the URL from the
computer 33 and transmit the URL to the light beacon 11. The
processor 25 is further configured to receive or determine
information which allows it to identify the light beacon 11.
[0053] The processor 15 of the light beacon 11 is configured to
receive the URL from the first server 21 using the transceiver 19,
to store the received URL in memory 31 and to use the lamp 13 to
transmit the stored URL via visible light. The processor 5 of the
mobile device 1 is configured to use the sensor 3 to receive the
URL transmitted by light beacon 11 via visible light and to use the
transceiver 9 to transmit a request (e.g. an HTTP request) to the
second server 35 identified in the URL and receive the content item
from the second server 35 in response to the request. The processor
5 of the mobile device is configured to reproduce the content item,
e.g. using a display or an audio output.
[0054] In FIG. 2, the computer 33 is configured to provide a
content item to the first server 21, the first server 21 is
configured to store the content item on the second server 35 and
provide the URL pointing to the content item stored on the second
server 35 to the light beacon 11 and the light beacon 11 is
configured to transmit the URL via visible light. The mobile device
1 is configured to receive the URL from the light beacon 11 and to
obtain the content item from the second server 35.
[0055] In particular, the processor 25 of the first server 21 is
configured to use transceiver 29,29' to receive the content item
from the computer 33, to instruct the second server 35 to publish
the content item and provide the URL of the published content item,
to receive the URL to the published content item from the second
server 35 and to transmit this URL to the light beacon 11. The
processor 25 is further configured to receive or determine
information which allows it to identify the light beacon 11. The
processor 15 of the light beacon 11 and the processor 5 of the
mobile device 1 are configured as described in relation to FIG.
1.
[0056] The URL transmitted by the light beacon 13 might point to a
content stream, e.g. a stream of live content, made available at
the second server 35. This URL might be temporal in nature, i.e.
the URL that leads to the content stream on the second server 35
may be changed to a new URL after a certain period of time, e.g.
every 15 minutes, and the processor 25 of the first server 21 may
be configured to use the transceiver 29' to transmit each new URL
to the light beacon 11. As a result, the mobile device 1 will only
be able to continue reproducing the content stream if it receives
each new URL from the light beacon 11. This ensures that the user
of mobile device 1 can only view the content stream while being
nearby the light beacon 11. The processor 25 may be configured to
use transceiver 29' to send a request for this change in URL to the
second server 35 every certain period of time or the second server
35 may change the URL and provide the new URL to the first server
25 automatically every certain period of time.
[0057] In FIG. 3, the computer 33 is configured to provide a
content item to the first server 21, the first server 21 is
configured to provide the content item to the light beacon 11 and
the light beacon 11 is configured to transmit the content item via
visible light. The mobile device 1 is configured to receive the
content item from the light beacon 11.
[0058] In particular, the processor 25 of the first server 21 is
configured to use the transceiver 29,29' to receive content item
from the computer 33 and transmit the content item to the light
beacon 11. The processor 25 is further configured to receive or
determine information which allows it to identify the light beacon
11. The processor 15 of the light beacon 11 is configured to
receive the content item from the first server 21 using the
transceiver 19, to store the received content item in memory 31 and
to use the lamp 13 to transmit the stored content item via visible
light. The processor 5 of the mobile device 1 is configured to use
the sensor 3 to receive the content item transmitted by light
beacon 11 via visible light and to reproduce the content item, e.g.
using a display or an audio output.
[0059] In FIG. 4, the light beacon 11 is configured to transmit an
identifier via visible light and is not connected to the first
server 21, the computer 33 is configured to provide an URL pointing
to a content item on the second server 35 to the first server 21,
the first server 21 is configured to associate the URL with the
identifier and to provide the URL to the mobile device 1 when the
mobile device 1 requests the URL associated with the identifier.
The mobile device 1 is configured to receive the identifier from
the light beacon 11 via visible light, to obtain the URL associated
with the identifier from the first server 21 and to obtain the
content item to which the URL points from the second server 35.
[0060] In particular, the processor 15 of the light beacon 11 is
configured to use the lamp 13 to transmit the identifier. The
identifier may be configured when the light beacon 11 is installed,
for example. The processor 25 of the first server 21 is configured
to use the transceiver 29 to receive the URL from the computer 33
and to receive the identifier of the light beacon 11 from the
computer or to receive or determine information which allows it to
identify the light beacon 11 and/or the identifier transmitted by
the light beacon 11. The processor 25 of the first server 21 is
further configured to associate the identifier transmitted by the
light beacon 11 with the received URL in the memory 31 of the first
server 21. The processor 25 of the first server 21 is also
configured to use the transceiver 29,29' to receive a request to
provide an URL associated with an identifier, to lookup the URL
associated with identifier in the memory 31 and to provide the URL
in response to the request.
[0061] The processor 5 of the mobile device 1 is configured to use
the sensor 3 to receive the identifier transmitted by the light
beacon 11 via visible light and to use the transceiver 9 to
transmit a request to the first server 21 to provide the URL
associated with this identifier and receive a response comprising
the requested URL from the first server 21. The processor 5 is
further configured to use the transceiver 9 to transmit a request
(e.g. an HTTP request) to the second server 35 identified in the
received URL and receive the content item from the second server 35
in response to the request. The processor 5 is also configured to
reproduce the content item, e.g. using a display or an audio
output.
[0062] In FIG. 5, the light beacon 11 is configured to transmit an
identifier via visible light and is not connected to the first
server 21, the computer 33 is configured to provide a content item
to the first server 21, and the first server 21 is configured to
store the content item on the second server 35, associate the URL
pointing to the content item with the identifier and to provide
this URL to the mobile device 1 when the mobile device 1 requests
the URL associated with the identifier. The mobile device 1 is
configured to receive the identifier from the light beacon 11 via
visible light, to obtain the URL associated with the identifier
from the first server 21 and to obtain the content item to which
the URL points from the second server 35.
[0063] In particular, the processor 15 of the light beacon 11 is
configured to use the lamp 13 to transmit the identifier. The
identifier may be configured when the light beacon 11 is installed,
for example. The processor 25 of the first server 21 is configured
to use the transceiver 29 to receive the content item from the
computer 33 and receive the identifier of the light beacon 11 from
the computer or to receive or determine information which allows it
to identify the light beacon 11 and/or the identifier transmitted
by the light beacon 11.
[0064] The processor 25 is further configured to use the
transceiver 29' to instruct the second server 35 to publish the
content item and provide the URL of the published content item, to
use the transceiver 29 to receive the URL to the published content
from the second server 35, and to associate this URL with the
identifier transmitted by the light beacon 11 in the memory 31 of
the first server 21. The processor 25 is also configured to use the
transceiver 29,29' to receive a request to provide an URL
associated with an identifier, to lookup the URL associated with
identifier in the memory 31 and to provide the URL in response to
the request. The processor 15 of the light beacon 11 and the
processor 5 of the mobile device 1 are configured as described in
relation to FIG. 4.
[0065] In FIG. 6, the light beacon 11 is configured to transmit an
identifier via visible light and is not connected to the first
server 21, the computer 33 is configured to provide a content item
to the first server 21, and the first server 21 is configured to
associate the content item with the identifier and to provide this
content item to the mobile device 1 when the mobile device 1
requests the content item associated with the identifier. The
mobile device 1 is configured to receive the identifier from the
light beacon 11 via visible light and to obtain the content item
associated with the identifier from the first server 21.
[0066] In particular, the processor 15 of the light beacon 11 is
configured to use the lamp 13 to transmit the identifier. The
identifier may be configured when the light beacon 11 is installed,
for example. The processor 25 of the first server 21 is configured
to use the transceiver 29 to receive the content item from the
computer 33 and receive the identifier of the light beacon 11 from
the computer 33 or to receive or determine information which allows
it to identify the light beacon 11 and/or the identifier
transmitted by the light beacon 11.
[0067] The processor 25 is further configured to associate this
content item with the identifier transmitted by the light beacon 11
in the memory 31 of the first server 21. The processor 25 of the
first server 21 is also configured to use the transceiver 29 to
receive a request to provide a content item associated with an
identifier, to lookup the content item associated with identifier
in the memory 31 and to provide the content item in response to the
request.
[0068] The processor 5 of the mobile device 1 is configured to use
the sensor 3 to receive the identifier transmitted by the light
beacon 11 via visible light and to use the transceiver 9 to
transmit a request to provide the content item associated with this
identifier to the first server 21 and receive a response comprising
the requested content item from the first server 21. The processor
5 is also configured to reproduce the content item, e.g. using a
display or an audio output.
[0069] The computer 33 may comprise a laptop, personal computer,
mobile phone, tablet, video camera device or photo camera device,
for example. The computer 33 may comprise an input device, e.g. a
keyboard or touch screen, for entering an URL or for selecting a
content item and a display for verifying the entered URL or
selected content item, for example. The content item may comprise
video, one or more still images, audio and/or text, for example. In
an embodiment, the entered URL points to a content item stored on
the computer 33 or to a live content item being captured by the
computer 33.
[0070] The processor 25 of the first server 21 may be a
general-purpose processor, e.g. from Intel or AMD, or an
application-specific processor. The processor 25 of the first
server 21 may run a Windows-based or Unix-based operating system,
for example. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the first
server 21 comprises one processor 25. In an alternative embodiment,
the first server 21 comprises multiple processors. The first server
21 may comprise other components typical for a server. The second
server 35 may comprise similar hardware as the first server 21. The
first server 21 and/or the second server 35 may run a web
server.
[0071] The memory 31 may comprise solid state memory, a hard disk
and/or an optical disc, for example. The lamp 13 of the light
beacon 11 comprises one or more light sources, e.g. LEDs. The
processor 15 of the mobile device 1 may be a general-purpose
processor, e.g. from ARM, or an application-specific processor. The
lamp 13 and the processor 15 may be incorporated in a single device
or may be incorporated into multiple devices connected by a wire or
connected wirelessly. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the
light beacon comprises one processor 15. In an alternative
embodiment, the light beacon 11 comprises multiple processors. The
light beacon 11 may comprise other components typical for a
beacon.
[0072] The mobile device 1 may comprise a laptop, mobile phone,
tablet, video camera device, photo camera device or pair of
augmented reality glasses, for example. The sensor 3 may comprise a
camera and/or a light sensor, for example. The paper "Luxapose:
Indoor Positioning with Mobile Phones and Visible Light" by Kuo et
al., published on pages 447-458 of the MobiCom '14 Proceedings of
the 20th annual international conference on Mobile computing and
networking in September 2014, discloses the use of conventional
smartphone hardware for receiving data from light beacons via
visible light. The method involves determining the location of a
camera-equipped smartphone with the help of LED luminaires that
transmit identifiers and/or locations encoded in
human-imperceptible optical pulses. The camera-equipped smartphone
is an unmodified smartphone whose exposure and ISO settings are
changed in order to detect and decode the transmitted visible light
data. The processor 5 of the mobile device 1 may be a
general-purpose processor, e.g. from ARM or Qualcomm, or an
application-specific processor. The processor 5 of the mobile
device 1 may run an iOS, Windows or Android operating system for
example. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the mobile device
1 comprises one processor 5. In an alternative embodiment, the
mobile device 1 comprises multiple processors. The mobile device 1
may comprise other components typical for a mobile device.
[0073] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, receiver and
transmitter are combined in a single transceiver (transceivers 9,
19 and 29,29`). In an alternative embodiment, the receiver and
transmitter may be separate components. Instead of a single
transceiver, multiple transceivers may be used. In an alternative
embodiment, the light beacon 11 comprises only a receiver instead
of a transceiver 19. One or more of the following communication
technologies may be supported, for example, by the transceivers:
Ethernet (IEEE 802.3) Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11), Bluetooth, ZigBee, GPRS,
EDGE, UMTS, LTE, 5G. The invention may be implemented using a
computer program running on one or more processors.
[0074] The processor 25 of the first server 21 is configured to use
the transceiver 29 to receive a geographical indicator from the
computer 33 and to determine at least one light beacon based on the
geographical indicator. The processor 25 is further configured to
use transceiver 29' to output information identifying the at least
one light beacon and to receive a selection of one or more of the
at least one light beacon. The processor 25 is further configured
to associate the content item with the one or more light beacons.
The geographical indicator may comprise a geographical location,
e.g. a GPS location of the computer 33, or a geographical area,
e.g. a place or a plurality of locations. For example, a user of
the computer may 33 be able to select a rectangle or circle
comprising a plurality of locations on a geographical map
[0075] In a simple embodiment, there is a pre-determined period of
time for the association, but alternatively, the time period can
also be made dependent on the advertising user's subscription, the
type of selected content, a next request for association with the
same light beacon(s) or the beacon popularity (or number of views),
or the default association duration may depend on the overall
demand for other content-beacon associations in the area.
[0076] The information identifying the at least one light beacon
may comprise a set of GPS locations of the at least one light
beacon. The identified light beacons that are in the view of the
camera may be highlighted on the display of the computer 33 using
augmented reality, as shown in FIG. 7, for example. Two street
lamps 53 and 57 are shown in the image 51 captured by the camera.
Street lamp 53 is highlighted with a circle 54. Next to circle 54,
the price 55 of associating content with the lamp 53 is shown.
Street lamp 57 is highlighted with a circle 58. Next to circle 58,
the price 59 of associating content with the lamp 57 is shown. In
this example, the price is 2 Euro per hour per street lamp. In this
embodiment, the computer 33 is preferably a mobile device, e.g. a
pair of augmented reality glasses.
[0077] The same principle may be used by visitors of an event like
a sports match or concert to rent a light beacon at the event and
associate personal content or an advertisement with the light
beacon. For instance, instead of having to make a recording first,
people can directly share their experience in real-time. Next to
captured audio or video streams, it may also be possible to link a
Twitter or News feed to a light beacon. Possibly the light beacon
identifier may even be added as a tag a Twitter feed (e.g. #beacon
123). The first server 21 may thus make use of or may be coupled to
social media networks.
[0078] The light beacon may also be provided as part of a
directable spotlight. For instance, at a theatre or in a stadium a
spotlight may be moved over an audience using either a motorized
moving head or by controlling a pixelated spotlight array. Once
that someone in the audience catches an identifier transmitted by
the light beacon via visible light with his smart device, this can
be communicated back to the lighting system (e.g. the first server
21) such that the spotlight beam is adjusted. For instance, the
spotlight may show a color or dynamic light effect indicating the
successful catch(es) of the identifier. It is also possible that
the spotlight instantly stops moving upon a catch, thereby putting
the catching user in the spotlight.
[0079] As an additional feature, the (app on the) smart device that
has successfully caught the identifier and stopped the light beam
can facilitate an A/V link to the stadium infrastructure thereby
providing some "airtime" for the winning user which he can use to
make a performance or announcement. So in this case, the received
"treasure code" is used by the app on the smart device to establish
the connection and the user can use the camera and/or microphone of
his smart device to sing a song or make an announcement, which
possibly requires a payment of the user. In the meantime, an
additional moving spotlight may enable someone else to catch the
(subsequent) "treasure code" which once it is caught by a second
user switches off the first spotlight and/or breaks the
corresponding connection to the first user's smart device.
[0080] Alternatively, the identified light beacons may be
represented on a geographical map, as shown in FIG. 8, for example.
Light beacons, e.g. street lamps, 61 to 69 are identified, amongst
others, in the map portion 82 of image 81 along with street names
71 to 76. The user of the computer 33 has selected light beacons 61
to 68 from the identified light beacons. The price of associating
content with the light beacons is displayed as descriptions 84 to
86. Description 84 indicates that the price of "renting" light
beacons 61 to 64 is 45 Euro per day per light beacon. Description
85 indicates that the price of "renting" light beacons 65 to 68 is
50 Euro per day per light beacon. Description 86 indicates that the
price of "renting" the non-selected light beacons, including
non-selected light beacon 69, is also 50 Euro per day per light
beacon.
[0081] In this way, light beacons across the city may be rented out
to link (promotion) content to them. For instance, this enables
augmented reality users or future self-driving cars to experience
promotional content related to their current location in the city.
The content could be highly personalized in such a way that people
will appreciate the content because it is based on a very good
match with their interests or intentions. For instance, tourists
may be informed about tourist attractions, while business travelers
will be informed about locations relevant to their profile and
business interests.
[0082] In this embodiment, the processor 25 of the first server 21
is configured to use the transceiver 29 to receive an indication of
one or more time windows to be associated with the one or more
light beacons from the computer 33 and to associate the content
item with the one or more light beacons during the one or more time
windows. In the example shown in FIG. 8, a time window 83 of 9 Mar.
2017 to 23 Mar. 2017 is indicated. It may also be possible to
indicate a start time on the start date and/or to indicate an end
time on the end date (not shown).
[0083] In the same embodiment or in another embodiment, the
processor 25 of the first server 21 is configured to use the
transceiver 29 to further receive an indication of a path from a
first set of the light beacons to a last set of the light beacons
from the computer 33. The processor 25 is further configured to
associate the content item with the first set of light beacons
during a first time window and with the last set of light beacons
during a last time window. The last time window starts later than
the first time window. This makes the display of content follow a
route. In the example shown in FIG. 9, a path is indicated by the
user of computer 33 by assigning letters to the light beacons. The
letter A has been assigned to the first set of light beacons 97 and
98. The letter D has been assigned to the last set of light beacons
91 and 92. The letters C and D have been assigned to intermediate
sets of light beacons 93 to 96. Instead of assigning letters to
light beacons, the user of computer 33 may be able to indicate the
path by indicating a starting point and a trajectory.
[0084] In the embodiment illustrated with the help of FIG. 9, the
processor 25 is configured to use the transceiver 29 to further
receive an indication of a content speed from the computer 33. A
difference between the beginning of the first time window and the
beginning of the last time window depends on the content speed. In
an alternative embodiment, the user of computer 33 may not be able
to select a content speed. The content speed may be predetermined
or may be automatically determined by the first server 21, for
example. The content speed is indicated in image 87 by speed
indicator 88, but the content speed may be the average speed of
persons walking, running or cycling past the light beacons of the
average speed of cars driving past the light beacons, for example.
This may be relevant during special city events. Image 87 also
indicates the tot cost of "renting" the selected light beacons with
the help of cost indicator 89: 5320 Euro for the period 9 Mar. 2017
to 23 Mar. 2017 for all selected light beacons.
[0085] Instead of using a path and a content speed, alternating
content items may be synchronized between neighboring light
beacons. For example, a specific light beacon might cycle through
three content items, whereby the cycles are synchronized with
neighboring beacons such that at the same time all beacons that are
close to each other are associated with different content.
[0086] In the same or in another embodiment, the processor 25 of
the first server 21 is configured to use the transceiver 29 to
receive a reproduction condition to be associated with the selected
one or more light beacons from the computer 33 and to associate the
content item with the one or more light beacons and the
reproduction condition in the memory 31 of the first server 21. The
content item is only allowed to be reproduced on a mobile device 1
when the reproduction condition is met. The reproduction condition
may comprise a group identifier identifying a group to which a user
of the device should belong (e.g. "men" or "friends"), a required
weather condition (e.g. "raining" or "sunny") and/or a maximum
distance between a light beacon transmitting data and the mobile
device 1 (e.g. determined using a GPS sensor of the mobile device
1), for example.
[0087] In another embodiment, the processor 25 of the first server
21 is configured to use the transceiver 29 to receive a
transmission condition to be associated with the one or more light
beacons from the computer 33 and to configure the one or more light
beacons such that the one or more light beacons transmit first data
(e.g. a first URL, content item or identifier) if the transmission
condition is met and second data (e.g. a second URL, content item
or identifier) if the transmission condition is not met. The first
data enables reproduction of the content item and the second data
does not enable reproduction of the content item. The transmission
condition may comprise a required weather condition (e.g. "raining"
or "sunny"), for example.
[0088] In a first embodiment of the method, see FIG. 10, a step 121
comprises receiving a geographical indicator. A step 123 comprises
determining at least one light beacon based on the geographical
indicator. Each of the at least one light beacon is configured to
transmit data via visible light. A step 125 comprises outputting
information identifying the at least one light beacon. A step 127
comprises receiving a selection of one or more of the at least one
light beacon. A step 129 comprises receiving a content item or a
reference to a content item to be associated with the one or more
light beacons. A step 141 comprises associating the content item
with the one or more light beacons. The association causes the one
or more light beacons to transmit data via visible light which
enables reproduction of the content item.
[0089] With regard to step 121: The associations may be part of a
global service, or may be restricted to a particular area (e.g. a
stadium). The more light beacons are part of the service, the more
important it is to receive input on a specific location or area in
order to present a user with the most relevant light beacons. This
can be done in different ways. For instance, GPS can be used to
detect a user's location, or the user may select a location or area
from a list (e.g. Philips Stadium), a user may indicate a location
or area on a map. The location can also be simply derived from
detection of one or more light beacons in the field of view of the
camera of a user device.
[0090] With regard to steps 123 and 125: The way the light beacons
are identified may depend on which geographical indicator was
received in step 121. For instance, if a camera is already used to
detect light beacons, the camera view could be annotated to
indicate which of the light beacons are available for content
association. Whereas if the user has been using a map to indicate
an area, the map could also be extended to provide input with
regards to the availability of light beacons. Each light beacon may
have a single content association or a single content association
per target user group, but it may also be possible to have a
multitude of content associations with a light beacon. For
instance, it may be determined which of the associated content
items matches best with the user profile and/or the current user
context. Alternatively, upon detecting a beacon, a list of
associated content items may be presented to the user, possibly
ordered according to user profile or detected context match.
Dependent on the service, the costs or terms and conditions of
associating content with a light beacon may also be presented. For
instance, an available light beacon can be presented together with
the cost per time period of association. Optionally, the cost
differs dependent on the size of a specified target group.
[0091] With regard to step 127: A user may be able to select one or
more light beacons from a presented list, a presented augmented
light beacon (camera) view, or on a map indicating the available
beacons, for example. It may be possible to select one or to select
a group of light beacons. The group can be a set of light beacons
which are close together (e.g. detected next to each other in the
camera view), but can also be spread over a larger area (e.g. all
light beacons located near local cinemas on a CityTouch map).
[0092] With regard to step 129: A user may be able to simply select
the stored content on his user device, indicate a link (URL) to the
content, or start creating the content after making the association
(e.g. start a video broadcast which becomes associated with the
light beacon). It may also be possible that the service or this
content selection step is integrated with social media apps. Some
of those (e.g. Periscope, Facebook Live) already enable users to
broadcast an event (e.g. a wedding or a performance) via a social
media platform Linking this functionality to a light beacon makes
it easy for people locally present to easily access the captured
video stream.
[0093] In this first embodiment, the method further comprises a
step 131 of receiving an indication of one or more time windows to
be associated with the one or more light beacons. Step 141
comprises a step 143 of associating the content item with the one
or more light beacons during the one or more time windows.
[0094] In a second embodiment, see FIG. 11, the method comprises a
step 133 of receiving a reproduction condition to be associated
with the one or more light beacons instead of step 131 of FIG. 10
(or in addition to step 131 of FIG. 10 if the first and second
embodiments are combined). The content item is only allowed to be
reproduced on a device when the reproduction condition is met.
Furthermore, step 141 comprises a step 145 of associating the
content item with the one or more light beacons and the
reproduction condition.
[0095] In a third embodiment, see FIG. 12, the method comprises a
step 135 of receiving a transmission condition to be associated
with the one or more light beacons instead of step 131 of FIG. 10
(or in addition to step 131 of FIG. 10 if the first and third
embodiments are combined). Furthermore, a step 147 comprises
configuring the one or more light beacons such that the one or more
light beacons transmit first data if the transmission condition is
met and second data if the transmission condition is not met. The
first data enabling reproduction of the content item and the second
data not enabling reproduction of the content item. Step 147 is
performed after step 135.
[0096] Two or more of the first, second and third embodiments may
be combined in a single embodiment. Some or all receiving steps
(steps 127, 129, 131, 133 and 135) may be performed in parallel.
Alternatively, all receiving steps may be performed in sequence (in
any desired order).
[0097] FIG. 13 depicts a block diagram illustrating an exemplary
data processing system that may perform the method as described
with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12.
[0098] As shown in FIG. 13, the data processing system 300 may
include at least one processor 302 coupled to memory elements 304
through a system bus 306. As such, the data processing system may
store program code within memory elements 304. Further, the
processor 302 may execute the program code accessed from the memory
elements 304 via a system bus 306. In one aspect, the data
processing system may be implemented as a computer that is suitable
for storing and/or executing program code. It should be
appreciated, however, that the data processing system 300 may be
implemented in the form of any system including a processor and a
memory that is capable of performing the functions described within
this specification.
[0099] The memory elements 304 may include one or more physical
memory devices such as, for example, local memory 308 and one or
more bulk storage devices 310. The local memory may refer to random
access memory or other non-persistent memory device(s) generally
used during actual execution of the program code. A bulk storage
device may be implemented as a hard drive or other persistent data
storage device. The processing system 300 may also include one or
more cache memories (not shown) that provide temporary storage of
at least some program code in order to reduce the number of times
program code must be retrieved from the bulk storage device 310
during execution.
[0100] Input/output (I/O) devices depicted as an input device 312
and an output device 314 optionally can be coupled to the data
processing system. Examples of input devices may include, but are
not limited to, a keyboard, a pointing device such as a mouse, or
the like. Examples of output devices may include, but are not
limited to, a monitor or a display, speakers, or the like. Input
and/or output devices may be coupled to the data processing system
either directly or through intervening I/O controllers.
[0101] In an embodiment, the input and the output devices may be
implemented as a combined input/output device (illustrated in FIG.
13 with a dashed line surrounding the input device 312 and the
output device 314). An example of such a combined device is a touch
sensitive display, also sometimes referred to as a "touch screen
display" or simply "touch screen". In such an embodiment, input to
the device may be provided by a movement of a physical object, such
as e.g. a stylus or a finger of a user, on or near the touch screen
display.
[0102] A network adapter 316 may also be coupled to the data
processing system to enable it to become coupled to other systems,
computer systems, remote network devices, and/or remote storage
devices through intervening private or public networks. The network
adapter may comprise a data receiver for receiving data that is
transmitted by said systems, devices and/or networks to the data
processing system 300, and a data transmitter for transmitting data
from the data processing system 300 to said systems, devices and/or
networks. Modems, cable modems, and Ethernet cards are examples of
different types of network adapter that may be used with the data
processing system 300.
[0103] As pictured in FIG. 13, the memory elements 304 may store an
application 318. In various embodiments, the application 318 may be
stored in the local memory 308, the one or more bulk storage
devices 310, or separate from the local memory and the bulk storage
devices. It should be appreciated that the data processing system
300 may further execute an operating system (not shown in FIG. 13)
that can facilitate execution of the application 318. The
application 318, being implemented in the form of executable
program code, can be executed by the data processing system 300,
e.g., by the processor 302. Responsive to executing the
application, the data processing system 300 may be configured to
perform one or more operations or method steps described
herein.
[0104] Various embodiments of the invention may be implemented as a
program product for use with a computer system, where the
program(s) of the program product define functions of the
embodiments (including the methods described herein). In one
embodiment, the program(s) can be contained on a variety of
non-transitory computer-readable storage media, where, as used
herein, the expression "non-transitory computer readable storage
media" comprises all computer-readable media, with the sole
exception being a transitory, propagating signal. In another
embodiment, the program(s) can be contained on a variety of
transitory computer-readable storage media. Illustrative
computer-readable storage media include, but are not limited to:
(i) non-writable storage media (e.g., read-only memory devices
within a computer such as CD-ROM disks readable by a CD-ROM drive,
ROM chips or any type of solid-state non-volatile semiconductor
memory) on which information is permanently stored; and (ii)
writable storage media (e.g., flash memory, floppy disks within a
diskette drive or hard-disk drive or any type of solid-state
random-access semiconductor memory) on which alterable information
is stored. The computer program may be run on the processor 302
described herein.
[0105] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and
"the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood
that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this
specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude
the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
[0106] The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and
equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the
claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or
act for performing the function in combination with other claimed
elements as specifically claimed. The description of embodiments of
the present invention has been presented for purposes of
illustration, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to
the implementations in the form disclosed. Many modifications and
variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art
without departing from the scope and spirit of the present
invention. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to
best explain the principles and some practical applications of the
present invention, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the
art to understand the present invention for various embodiments
with various modifications as are suited to the particular use
contemplated.
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